Posted By RVBusiness On March 22, 2013 @ 3:52 pm In Breaking News | No Comments

In his first official outing as Navistar International’s new CEO, Troy Clarke jumped right in Friday (March 22) morning by assuring the audience of supplier executives that “Navistar’s not going anywhere but up,” according to a report by TrukcingInfo.com.

“Recently we have come through some challenging issues,” he said, referring to problems such as the company’s financial losses and its failed attempt to meet 2010 emissions regulations without using selective catalytic reduction. “But if I can paraphrase Mark Twain, the rumors of our demise have been greatly exaggerated. We are moving ahead with renewed dedication and resolve.”

Clarke’s speech drew one of the largest crowds the Heavy Duty Manufacturers Association has ever had for its annual Breakfast Briefing at the Mid-America Trucking Show.

Moving on to broader issues, Clarke outlined four of the top issues that will affect where the trucking industry manufacturer and supplier business will be focusing its efforts: The price of fuel, the driver shortage, regulations, and economic-driven changes among carriers.

While uncertainty characterizes the external climate the industry operates in, he said, including such issues as sequestration and regulation, “We can only blame Washington for so much. No industry is immune from change. In fact, change is the only constant we can count on. We succeed by turning uncertainty and the need for change into opportunity.”